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Apopka Rollover Kills 3 Teens as Troopers Probe Seatbelts and Dark Streetlights

The probe now centers on seatbelt compliance alongside darkened streetlights near the curve.

Overview

  • Florida Highway Patrol says a 2020 Chevy Silverado lost control on a Welch Road curve around 1:30 a.m., left the roadway, hit a tree and overturned.
  • The victims were identified as Julio Lopez, 17, Enrique Rodriguez Sabas, 17, and Leyner Velasquez, 13, according to the Orange County Medical Examiner.
  • A 17-year-old driver and two other teens were hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, troopers said.
  • FHP reported four passengers were not wearing seat belts, noting only the driver and one of the deceased 17-year-olds were restrained.
  • Duke Energy confirmed multiple streetlights near the site were off for a lighting-improvement project and said restoration was expected by the end of the week, as schools provided grief counseling and the investigation continued.